WSOP Main Event Day 1C

My favorite day!

I say this every year, but there’s nothing in the world like the WSOP Main Event. People come to Las Vegas from all over the world to compete in this unique event. This year, it looks like the total participants will top 10,000 and create a prize pool exceeding $100,000,000.00!

Immediately when I arrived at my table, a player I didn’t know asked me if I’d be performing any comedy shows while I’m in town. It’s a great way to be greeted because it sets a friendly vibe and has the potential to get people talking about comedy, performing arts, movies, etc. Many poker players tend to clam up at the table because they’re introverted, nervous, or afraid to give anything away.

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I have found that opening people up with a lively conversation makes the game more enjoyable. It’s not that we aren’t competing for all we’re worth; we just don’t have to act like we’re actively at war. This player introduced himself as James Farrelly and I was grateful to him for breaking the ice. A few of my opponents even subscribed to the Tournament Poker Edge Podcast right there on the spot. You should too, right now:

Across from me in Seat One was Ronald Fetsch, a well groomed older gentleman who final tabled the Seniors’ Event earlier this summer. His playing style was unorthodox; he played way too many hands and went too far with them. It was working out early on and soon his 60,000 starting stack was up to about 140k! During the break, I devised a plan to try to isolate him and play a big pot in position with a strong hand. Eventually, I got my chance.

With the blinds at 200/400/400, Fetsch opened from early position to 1100. Folded to me in the cutoff with the AhTs and I was happy to 3bet to 3400. Fetsch called (no surprise) and the two of us saw a flop of Th-6d-5h. He checked, I bet 5k for value and he called (no surprise). The turn was the 4c and he checked, I bet 8500 for value and he raised to 60,000, enough to put me all-in. Surprise!!! He was playing at least 75% of the hands, but I hadn’t yet seen him put this many chips in all at once before. I thought I could be ahead if he had something like 76 or a flush draw (less likely as I held the Ah). I mulled it for some time but ultimately had to lay it down.

A few other key hands that I’ll save for the podcast took place, but suffice it to say I recovered. I made it to dinner with 52,000 in the stack, way up from the low of 29k. Met my mom for a bite to eat and shared a few war stories with her. It’s so great to have her here with me in Vegas!

After dinner, it was time to get back to work. I waited for good spots and ran it up to about 70,000 with blinds at 300/500/500. I momentarily thought about the deep runs I had in 2015 and 2018 and all the ebbs and flows involved in those marathons. I felt locked in and I was playing my A game.

Ronald Fetsch opened to 1300 (no surprise) and all three people called him on my right. I was in the cutoff with 7s6s and considered 3betting. I opted not to because I felt that by this point everyone could see what Fetsch was up to and they wouldn’t respect my attempt to isolate him. I called as well, as did the Israeli pro on the button. At this point, there was 9100 in the pot. James Farrelly raised to 7700 from the big blind. Everyone folded now to me. I decided to call and see the flop in position. Farrelly had been on a hot streak but my impression of him was that he was actually getting a nice run of premium hands. I felt he very likely had AA, KK, or QQ to make this play after dragging a series of substantial pots consecutively just before this hand started. I’m in position with suited connectors playing deep stacked versus a player I have a read on. What could possibly go wrong?

Heads-up, we saw the flop of 9d-7h-6c. I was extremely confident that I had outflopped Farrelly in a pot that now contained 22,700 chips! He bet 19,000, which is what I’d expect him to bet with a hand like KK in this situation. Now with 41,700 in the pot, I decided not to fool around. I shoved my remaining 62,000 chips into the pot, hoping that Farrelly wouldn’t find the fold button with his overpair. He called and I was thrilled to see his Ah9h. I knew I had about a 70% chance to win a pot that had almost 150,000 chips in it. For context, the average stack on Day Two is usually only about 85,000. We just need to avoid getting unlucky now and we’ll be in position for another deep run in the best tournament of the year:

Farrelly hit one of his five outs, the Ac, but at least he didn’t shout BOOM at the top of his lungs like the guy who two-outered me last year. He was actually somewhat sheepish and embarrassed that he won after getting it in so bad. I have absolutely no hard feelings toward him or to anyone else who comports himself so well at the table, win or lose. Congratulations, James. I hope you win the whole tournament!

As devastating as it is to not even make it to Day Two, I’m keeping things in perspective. Remember I won a $215 satellite to get into this event. Also, there’s still so much more poker yet to play, including a $5000 championship event at Venetian next week and a big $1.5 million mystery bounty bracelet event tomorrow. I’m down but I’m far from out!

Tonight I’m back in the commentary booth alongside the great Joe Stapleton. You can follow along all the Day 1D action here starting around 8PM PST.

The bankroll stands at $30,845.